IPO-bound drone technology company Garuda Aerospace, along with the Goa Information Technology Development Corporation (GITDC) and the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), is supporting the government’s broader ‘Drone Didi’ initiative. The initiative aims to train 100 women every financial year in Goa and create 300 certified women drone pilots over three years, subject to statewide approval by DITE&C. This marks a significant step towards leveraging drone technology to strengthen rural livelihoods, promote women-led entrepreneurship and build a digitally empowered workforce in the state.
The first cohort of 12 women, recognised as the ‘Special 12’ by the Goa IT Minister, received intensive training in drone technology, flight simulation, assembly, maintenance, safety and practical flying. As part of the initiative, the trained ‘Drone Didis’ also demonstrated their newly acquired flying skills before the Minister, showcasing their ability to independently operate drones.
Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO, Garuda Aerospace, said, “The Drone Didi initiative is a powerful example of how technology can become an enabler of economic independence and social transformation. At Garuda Aerospace, we believe that the true potential of drones lies not only in the technology itself, but in the opportunities it can create for communities. By equipping women with certified drone skills, we are enabling them to become technology users, service providers and entrepreneurs in their own right. The training of Goa’s first 12 Drone Didis is an important milestone in building a more inclusive and technology-driven drone ecosystem.”
Garuda Aerospace’s skilling efforts build on its position as one of India’s largest Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs), with MS Dhoni among those who have received drone pilot training from the company. The company has also established multiple associations with government institutions and regional training organisations, including Rural Electrification Corporation (REIL) and multiple Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes (FMTTIs), to strengthen drone skilling and training capabilities across regions.
The initiative further reflects Garuda Aerospace’s commitment to democratising access to drone technology and empowering women through skilling. The company aims to expand such programmes to diverse communities, including free drone pilot training for widows and wives of armed forces personnel, enabling them to pursue technology-led livelihood opportunities. In 2024, Garuda Aerospace has trained over 500 rural women in drone technology and delivered 446 drones to women-led Self-Help Groups across 20 states, supporting economic empowerment and technology-led livelihoods through initiatives such as the ‘Namo Drone Didi Yojana’. The company has also created over 3,500 jobs, including roles for pilots and technicians, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce for India’s growing drone ecosystem.
